Liberal Democrats suspend Mayor of Bath, pledge ‘solidarity with Jewish community’
Councillor Dr Bharat Pankhania apologised for now deleted reposts of content branding Hatzola arson attack an ‘Israeli false flag operation’
The Mayor of Bath who shared, then deleted a social media post calling the burning of four Hatzola ambulances an “Israeli false flag operation” has been suspended by his party.
Liberal Democrat councillor Dr Bharat Pankhania, who is also a senior clinical lecturer at University of Exeter Medical School, had reposted content which said: “People are now asking why do the Jewish community have their own private ambulances in the UK?” as well as another post claiming the attack was an example of insurance fraud.
The vehicles in Golders Green were firebombed in the early hours of Monday 23 March. Two men – aged 47 and 45 and of British nationality, were arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life and later released on police bail.
In a statement to Jewish News, a Liberal Democrat spokesperson said: “Dr. Pankhania has been suspended from the Liberal Democrat group while the party looks into this. We stand in solidarity with the Jewish community following the appalling arson attack earlier this week.”
Dr Bharat Pankhania apologised “unreservedly” for sharing the social media post, claiming he had “been made aware that I have reposted or replied to some posts which have never aligned to my values and beliefs, and which are abhorrent. I am incredibly apologetic that I have not lived up to the standards I set myself. I have of course deleted them.”
Calling for immediate action, Toby Davis, honorary vice chair of Liberal Democrat Friends of Israel told Jewish News: “This is a clear example of antisemitism masking itself as anti-Zionism. For a senior councillor to describe a disgusting antisemitic attack as an ‘Israel false flag operation’ is not only deeply offensive, it is the promotion of a dangerous conspiracy theory.
“This kind of rhetoric fuels anti-Jewish hatred, undermines trust, and puts Jewish communities at risk. Coming from a local leader, it is especially serious and brings our party into disrepute. An apology is not enough. Actions must speak louder than words, particularly given the individual’s track record of similar posts.”
A Bath and North East Somerset councillor since 2019, Pankhania qualified from the Welsh Nation Schools of Medicine in Cardiff, trained as a GP in 1989 and now specialises in disease control.
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